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Paul,
I just want to say I appreciate your work on "Warfare in the Classical World". In my opinion, this book has never been topped. What a great balance of illustrations, maps, diagrams of battles, etc... Simply stunning..!
Johnny
Johnny Shumate
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Aw shucks, thank you very much !! :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
In truth, the book was very much a team effort by all the people you see in the credits - in particular, much of its quality is due to the editor, Philip de St Croix ( his head appears dangling from the British chariot, and I am both the driver and warrior ) and the designer, Nick Buzzard (whose keen interest in archery and thumb ring shooting got him depicted as the Parthian) - and of course the artwork of my good friend Jeff Burn ( who appears as the legionary in segmentata ).
And if it inspired talented people like yourself to take an interest in ancient warfare.......why that's what it was for !!! Love looking at your beautiful paintings, and envy the talent !!
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
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Quote:He Sean. I don't think you can do that. If the bow string comes off your fingers to the left- as when you use a finger draw as I believe the Cretans did- the arrow must rest on the left of the bowstaff or it does not launch properly. This is tied to the "Archer's paradox" about how a flexible arrow goes in a straight line around the bow saff though the string and staff are in line, thus the arrow is pointing a bit off to the left.
What you probably saw are representations of turks, mongols, etc. They let the string fall off their thumbs, with a special ring, and so to the right.
I can't say if such a draw aids in managing shields, but it is stronger and easier to hold in position longer. My guess is it is just coincidence that the position and shield are linked.
A true archer would know better than me.
Hi Paul. Interesting information! I agree the technique was steppe-influenced. I'm a bad archer (I should practice more!) and have no shield so can't try it myself.
One of the sources I can locate is on p. 28 of Niccole's sourcebook, Vol. 2. It is a wall painting in Byzantine-influenced style comes from Muslim Palistine, 8th century AD. It shows an archer in brimmed war-hat and banded armour who is shooting at a castle with a Turkish style double-curved composite bow. He holds a two-foot round shield in his left hand with the bow, and the arrow passes right of the weapon. I can't make out the draw technique. There is no sign of a shield strap or armband.
I agree that the Cretan shield could also have been a buckler, strapped to the wrist or carried at the belt, as medieval longbowmen used. They used these when fighting hand-to-hand with swords, axes, and daggers.
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
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Hello
As I mentioned before I wanted to raise this subject again for it to be discussed.
It is a very interesting subject and it was a bit forgotten lately.
In the artistically plan, I did this illustration to try new painting techniques and to consolidate some of those techniques; the final result (if I can say so myself) was very good; thank you all for your input and comments.
I hope that this subject can continue to generate further discussion and research; in that way my objective in starting this thread will be achieved.
I just thought: why not complement a new thread with an illustration regarding the subject, instead of only a written message...?
Many thanks to all.
Best regards
JP Vieira
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Paul laused from me too for your work on "Warfare in the Classical World".
JP you can drew all the equipment variations if your publisher pays you. 
Better dreaw the shield hanging from a telamon unless you depict the archer engeged in hand to hand combat.
Dory was apropriate for "Ificratidic" troops but I am to of the opinion that extremely long spears were marines weapon.
Leather cover would be apropirate for peltasts unlees they did not had time to complete theit kit before action.
Kind regards
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Hello
Thanks Stefanos for your (once again) excellent and useful data.
It is great to post one's work in this forum, because it is reviewed by those with the necessary knowledge to do it.
Many thanks to all.
Best regards
JP Vieira
PS: Stefanos. this one was not paid for; my only payment is the feedback from fellow RAT members :wink:
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Quote:I just thought: why not complement a new thread with an illustration regarding the subject, instead of only a written message...?
I like that thought, start some new threads. If you check out Luke's site, read his article on Tarantine cavalry. They are a very interesting troop type and there are few contemporary portrayals.
Paul M. Bardunias
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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Hello
Paul: thanks for the advice ; I will visit the website.
I am allways looking for subjects to illustrate that are not seen very often.
Thanks
Best regards
JP vieira
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Hello
Paul: I have just visited Lukes' website: it has great articles: real "food for thought" for an illustrator.
If you know of similar sites, please let me know; it is allways great to get inspiration for illustrations from well written and researched articles.
Many thanks
Best regards
JP Vieira
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[url:n6bls2l1]http://ilustro.webs.com/[/url]
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Hello
In view of the (excellent) discussion started with this thread, I will produce a revised illustration, featuring the contributions made by all who participated with comments and suggestions: many thanks to all 
Best regards
JP Vieira
PS: the revised illustration should be finished tomorrow or the day alter.
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Hello
As promised here is a new version of the illustration
http://community.imaginefx.com/fxpose/j ... 49354.aspx
It reflects the discussion held here and the inputs made by fellow forum members.
It is, however not "closed" and all new data can be incorporated in a new version: the aim is maximum possible historical accuracy.
Best regards
JP Vieira
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Nice man. I like the tear in the leather of the wicker shield.
Michael D. Hafer [aka Mythos Ruler, aka eX | Vesper]
In peace men bury their fathers. In war men bury their sons.
Quote:Paul,
I just want to say I appreciate your work on "Warfare in the Classical World". In my opinion, this book has never been topped. What a great balance of illustrations, maps, diagrams of battles, etc... Simply stunning..!
Johnny
I just got given a copy by a man from Sheffield, at our Hoplite show there, so who's a lucky boy, then?
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Hello
Paul: that book is essential to anyone with an interest in ancient warfare: you will (I am sure) enjoy it.
Michael: thanks. I wanted to show the inside of the shield and this was the simplest way in that illustration. :wink:
I also made the central figure wear Thracian style boots (from the contribution from Stefanos).
Best regards
JP Vieira
Visit my Website at
[url:n6bls2l1]http://ilustro.webs.com/[/url]
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